Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru
Peru: Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age was 8.9% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru, 1986–2023
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru is 8.9%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 49.6% on the previous year and down 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru peaked at 27.7% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 5.5%, in 2021.
That places Peru 52nd out of 58 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 27.7% | — |
| 1992 | 21.6% | -22.0% |
| 1996 | 17.7% | -18.1% |
| 2000 | 14.4% | -18.6% |
| 2006 | 12.2% | -15.3% |
| 2008 | 12.6% | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 10.9% | -13.5% |
| 2010 | 10.3% | -5.5% |
| 2011 | 9.6% | -6.8% |
| 2012 | 9.3% | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 9.0% | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 8.6% | -4.4% |
| 2015 | 6.5% | -24.4% |
| 2016 | 6.0% | -7.7% |
| 2017 | 6.5% | +7.6% |
| 2018 | 6.3% | -2.4% |
| 2019 | 6.1% | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 6.1% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 5.5% | -9.8% |
| 2022 | 6.0% | +8.2% |
| 2023 | 8.9% | +49.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 27.7% | 27.7% | 27.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 19.6% | 17.7% | 21.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 12.5% | 10.9% | 14.4% | 4 |
| 2010s | 7.8% | 6.0% | 10.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.6% | 5.5% | 8.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Peru
More gender data for Peru
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 7,988 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.3909 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 28,205 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 28,205 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.2 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 261,493 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 271,554 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 262,030 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 271,974 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 262,425 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru?
- Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Peru was 8.9% in 2023, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Peru?
- The highest recorded value was 27.7% in 1986.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Peru?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.5% in 2021.
- How does Peru rank for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age?
- Peru ranks 52nd out of 58 countries with data for 2023.
- Is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age rising or falling in Peru?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Peru data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fertile, married women of reproductive age (ages 15-49) who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.